Gas/Window/Electric Certificates - Needed?

DonPatch

Hi

I've just received my local authority search back and it shows work done to the house under the Competent person self certification scheme.

There were some windows, some electrical lighting work and a new boiler. I've got the boiler documentation but no electrical certificates. Also on the property information form the seller said they hadn't had new windows after 2002 but the search says they were done end of 2003.

All I want to know is does this matter at all? The windows and electrical work are listed on the search with gas Safe and Fensa, the windows haven't fallen out! - so should I care about having certificates? What difference does it make?

Thanks

eddddy

DonPatch wrote: »

What difference does it make?

If depends how positively or negatively you want to view it.

For example, if you want to look at it negatively...

There is no electrics certificate, so the owner might have got an 'amateur cowboy' to do the electrics.

In this situation, you could still arrange an electrical installation condition report (EICR) which might make you feel a bit more comfortable.

But, for example, you still wouldn't know if the 'cowboy' has run wiring in stupid places. e.g. You drill into a wall to hang a picture, hit a live 240v wire, and electrocute yourself.

And if the owner appears to have got a 'cowboy' to do the electrics, does that suggest that they might use cowboys for other maintenance jobs as well?

Or you could view it more positively....

Owain_Moneysaver

If the competent person has notified Building Control of the electrical work, that suggests they weren't a complete cowboy.

If the electrical work was done before 2008 then there should have been a (non-notifiable) 10-year inspection since then, but nobody bothers with those if they don't have to.

maisie_cat

Agree with Owain, if they informed BC then they were most likely a competent installer. You can get replacement certificates I believe if you know which body the electrician is registered with as well as a FENSA or Certass certificate

DonPatch

Thanks for the help.

I'm satisfied that the vendors would have competent tradesmen. The boiler has been serviced for the last 7 years by the same local company and the house is looked after.

So should I request these certificat? I mean I'm going to stick them in my filing never to be seen again. But I don't want to be nonchalant about something if it's something that I really should have. We are also ready to exchange so I don't want to hold everyone up for it, unless it's that important.